APPLICATIONS for two major housing developments which would have seen 195 new homes built in the county were turned down by planners last week.

Members of Herefordshire Council’s planning committee refused plans for 135 new homes off Aylestone Hill and 60 homes in Bartestree.

Bovis Homes was requesting permission to put the 135 homes – 46 of which were to be affordable – on land to the east of Aylestone Hill along with public open space, new access and landscaping.

And despite a recommendation by the council’s officer to approve the plan receiving support from ward Councillor Nick Nenadich, the planning committeerefused permission.

The application site is close to the Lugg and Hampton Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest, drawing concerns from Herefordshire Nature Trust in regard to a potential pollution risk to the meadow and water courses.

Councillor Nenadich admitted he had “no doubt” the application would polarise views but said it appeared to actually act as a betterment.

“When you talk about 135 houses it does make you swallow,” he added. “But we need houses. Hereford is the principle economic generator for the county.”

But Cllr Felicity Norman said she “despaired” that the committee was once again being faced with an application in an area that would ube compromised by any development.

Seven councillors voted to refuse the application while four voted in favour and two abstained.

At the same meeting, plans for 60 new homes in Bartestree were also rejected.

Ward member Cllr Dave Greenow said the development would “fundamentally alter the character of the area”.

Cllr Bob Matthews added: “It’s sad to see developers persistently pushing large applications when they know the views of local members and residents.”

Comments (13)

Thank goodness these appalling proposals have been refused. Three cheers for those councillors who voted against them. Let us hope other developers will get the message - and I'm thinking in particular of developers hoping to build no less than 153 dwellings in Lea - and back off.

Thank goodness these appalling proposals have been refused. Three cheers for those councillors who voted against them. Let us hope other developers will get the message - and I'm thinking in particular of developers hoping to build no less than 153 dwellings in Lea - and back off.Gnomie

Not necessarily, as one developer in Lea has already discovered I'm happy to say. He appealed to the Planning Inspectorate over the council's decision to refuse him permission to build four houses on a site in the village and his appeal was dismissed earlier this year. Planning inspectors do not always side with developers and the developers know it. And the inspector's verdict is final.

Not necessarily, as one developer in Lea has already discovered I'm happy to say. He appealed to the Planning Inspectorate over the council's decision to refuse him permission to build four houses on a site in the village and his appeal was dismissed earlier this year. Planning inspectors do not always side with developers and the developers know it. And the inspector's verdict is final.Gnomie

They refuse thuiis planning yet they wanna rip down a going concern public house in the centre of hereford ..Obviously the council didnt get so much off a back hander from bovis as bill reynolds gave them for the nell gwynnes demise...Shame on u hereford council..

They refuse thuiis planning yet they wanna rip down a going concern public house in the centre of hereford ..Obviously the council didnt get so much off a back hander from bovis as bill reynolds gave them for the nell gwynnes demise...Shame on u hereford council..Randombloke

Gnomie wrote:
Not necessarily, as one developer in Lea has already discovered I'm happy to say. He appealed to the Planning Inspectorate over the council's decision to refuse him permission to build four houses on a site in the village and his appeal was dismissed earlier this year. Planning inspectors do not always side with developers and the developers know it. And the inspector's verdict is final.

Actually, if you look at the national figures, independent planning inspectors - with no axe to grind, and looking at the evidence presented from all sides - come down on the side of the councils about 70% of the tome.

[quote][p][bold]Gnomie[/bold] wrote:
Not necessarily, as one developer in Lea has already discovered I'm happy to say. He appealed to the Planning Inspectorate over the council's decision to refuse him permission to build four houses on a site in the village and his appeal was dismissed earlier this year. Planning inspectors do not always side with developers and the developers know it. And the inspector's verdict is final.[/p][/quote]Actually, if you look at the national figures, independent planning inspectors - with no axe to grind, and looking at the evidence presented from all sides - come down on the side of the councils about 70% of the tome.Brownface60

the development would fundamentally alter the character of the village,,??
Is this a posh way of saying someone would loose a decent view of fields or trees...
Where ever developers want to build someone will always complain there losing a view..Thank god i live 100 metres from the centre of hereford..I dont have the trouble of anyone ruining my view..As it went before i moved in..

the development would fundamentally alter the character of the village,,??
Is this a posh way of saying someone would loose a decent view of fields or trees...
Where ever developers want to build someone will always complain there losing a view..Thank god i live 100 metres from the centre of hereford..I dont have the trouble of anyone ruining my view..As it went before i moved in..Randombloke

Why are we not surprised that planning permission was denied to build homes at Aylestone hill?
If that had been Hinton, Hunderton, Newton Farm or Belmont, it would have been granted. It's just another case of widening the North and South of the river divide

Why are we not surprised that planning permission was denied to build homes at Aylestone hill?
If that had been Hinton, Hunderton, Newton Farm or Belmont, it would have been granted. It's just another case of widening the North and South of the river divideMike33

Nothing wrong with being a NIMBY. It you don't stick up for yourself, no one else will. Why should I want 100 affordable houses on my doorstep? If I wanted that, I would have moved to Newton Farm.

Nothing wrong with being a NIMBY. It you don't stick up for yourself, no one else will. Why should I want 100 affordable houses on my doorstep? If I wanted that, I would have moved to Newton Farm.bob87654321

Nice one Bob, and there is everything WRONG with being a NIMBY, you won't be here for ever, but your children & grandchildren and their children will be. We do not have enough homes in Hereford, plain & simple, and i don't think the residents of Newton farm would want you !!!

Nice one Bob, and there is everything WRONG with being a NIMBY, you won't be here for ever, but your children & grandchildren and their children will be. We do not have enough homes in Hereford, plain & simple, and i don't think the residents of Newton farm would want you !!!milliemilo